Arman Tatoyan slams police violence against man in Yerevan

Former Armenian Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan has denounced the police violence against a man in Yerevan.

A widely circulated video shows patrol officers forcibly removing a driver from his car, pinning him to the ground, and taking him into custody, sparking public outrage.

"A police officer is not a brawler or enforcer and cannot publicly humiliate a citizen, even in response to an insult. The Interior Ministry's justification violates Armenia’s Constitution and international obligations," Tatoyan wrote on Facebook on Thursday.

"This is the result of political patronage. It looks as if a group of officers attacked a man, knowing they would face no consequences. Such unlawful behavior, fueled by impunity and political patronage, undermines the credibility of law enforcement and discredits officers who perform their duties with integrity.

“The testimony of a 75-year-old woman from Gyumri also exposes illegal actions by law enforcement officers," Tatoyan emphasized.